June 1, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Texas Legislature has approved the final version of the state’s budget, with both chambers passing the conference committee report for Senate Bill 1—the only bill lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass.
Despite a historic $24 billion surplus and calls from conservative groups to use the funds for meaningful tax relief and spending restraint, the budget instead marks yet another expansion.
The final version of SB 1 totals over $338 billion in all funds, with state funds exceeding $237 billion—an 8.3 percent increase over the last biennium and a staggering 43 percent increase since the 2022–23 budget.
Only $6.5 billion of the surplus is being used for new property tax relief, even as property taxes have risen $13 billion (21.6 percent) since the last biennium.
State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) argued the property tax relief would be much more, given previous amounts of relief passed in past sessions.
“We are stacking relief upon relief,” he explained, when pressed on the issue by State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville).
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility issued a scathing rebuke of the budget, urging lawmakers to oppose it.
“CCR SB 1 represents a dramatic and fiscally irresponsible expansion of the Texas state budget that should be rejected by conservatives,” the group said in a statement, blasting the deal as prioritizing “centralized economic planning over free-market principles.”
In the end, the Texas Senate passed the measure 30-0, while the House approved it 107-21.
The bill now heads to the desk of
Gov. Greg Abbott for final approval.
Featured
The Texas Lottery Commission is set to be abolished, with lottery management moving to the Department of Licensing and Regulation after lawmakers lost faith in the agency that’s overseen the lottery since shortly after its inception.
The commission, which has been in existence since 1991, has come under scrutiny over the past months after revelations of rigged jackpots, potential money laundering, and collusion between government agency employees and vendors to game the lottery for profit. The state lottery is currently the subject of multiple state and federal investigations.
Real Texans
For this Sunday's edition of REAL TEXANS, we visit with Sid Miller about life in the rodeo, the importance of buying products made in the Lone Star State, and the politics of agriculture. And, yes, we talk about the statewide agency he has three times been elected to oversee
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Texas Set to End Schools’ ‘Sovereign Immunity’ in Sex Abuse Cases
The State Senate unanimously approved a House measure to hold school districts accountable for protecting students from sexual predators.
Legislation to Make Vaccine Manufacturers Liable Passes Senate
The measure is currently on its way to the governor’s desk.
Patrick Says THC Ban Is a Fight To Save a Generation
A ban on THC products has been sent to the governor and awaits his signature.
Local
Harris County Bureaucrats Among America’s Highest-Paid Government Employees
Nine county employees now make more than the president of the United States, and forty-five make more than cabinet secretaries.
Houston Ends Traffic Stop Quotas in Unanimous Vote
The Houston Police Department rescinded the policy imposing traffic stop quotas, and the city council amended the city code to ensure a similar policy could not be put in place again.
Frio County Vote Harvesting Ring Suspects Doubled, More Officials Included
Candidates paid in gas, cigarettes, and Dr. Pepper; joked about ballot harvesting in texts.
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